For Teens Only
If you have any questions about how I work with teen clients, feel free to contact me-
Lana's cell: 720.432.5262 (432-lana) or lana@pathwaysdenver.com
Rights of Minors: back to top
1. Minors may admit themselves for treatment (receive counseling) without parental consent at age 15.
2. All confidentiality rules apply to minors as well as adults.
3. A minor may be emancipated in Colorado at age 16 with the approval of a judge.
(Source: "Ethical Issues in the Alcohol & Drug Clinical Setting" 2009 course)
Commonly asked Questions: back to top
1. "How can this counselor understand what I am going through?"
Most counselors have their own story or challenges they endured and overcame, which is why they're passionate about helping others. This is true for me and I have found that as a result of my life's challenges, I have the gift of connecting with youth of all different backgrounds and am continually inspired by their strengths, wisdom and resilience.
2. "How much will a session cost?"
Click on Rates & Insurance. If you are not able to afford the full fee, reduced fee services are available for those needing financial assistance. I offer a significant fee reduction for any youth age 15 or older who is seeking confidential counseling at an affordable price. Feel free to call/email me to discuss this.
I also am a provider for the Second Wind Fund (for uninsured & underinsured youth).This fund offers 8-20 free sessions to youth who qualify for its counseling services. Speak with your school counselor or call me directly for counseling through this fund.
My background: back to top
I discovered my calling to become a counselor as a teen. I was drawn to my own high school counselor, Mary Murphy, and participated in every club that she sponsored: peer counseling, community service, Snowball (weekend retreat in Illinois that focuses on self-awareness, empowerment, and teen leadership), etc. At a final small group session, the teen participants in my group shared their feedback with me that they felt they were able to completely trust me with their stories and that I helped them feel accepted.
As a college student, I chose special education as my major because it was a combination of psychology + education and I had always had a desire of becoming a teacher. As a Chicago public high school teacher, I took a group of my "city" teens back to the suburban Snowball I had attended and witnessed the power of bringing together individuals from completely different backgrounds. At this utopian retreat, the walls which previously divided cliques came down and everyone took risks to show their true selves- and again were completely accepted. That retreat had the power to permanently change one's view of oneself, of others, and their world view in general. As a result, one of my goals as a counselor is to organize Snowball retreats in CO.
The gift that my high school counselor imparted to me was illustrated by a comment one Snowball teen counselor told me, "You give your students light when all they see is darkness." My goal as a counselor is to instill hope and reflect back the light or wonderful qualities I see in my clients so they can believe in themselves. Mary's belief in me lasted beyond my high school years. As a young adult living on my own for the first time, I would recall her confidence in me if I ever felt doubt in myself and this empowered me to take the risks necessary to follow my dreams. I strive to continue to follow in Mary Murphy's footsteps by going the extra mile for my clients and solidify their belief that they are capable of rising above any challenge and accomplishing their life goals.
